April 03, 2006

Wonder what Andrea's up to?

I wonder what Andrea Zinga's up to these days? Other than enjoying the disarray among the Democrats, I mean?

First guess would be that she and her people are burning up the phone lines, looking for money for a race that suddenly looks more competitive than it did before incumbent Rep. Lane Evans announced he'll not seek another term. Zinga had just $3,600 on hand as of March 1, three weeks before the primary in which she narrowly won the GOP nomination over Jim Mowen.

GOP donors may be far more willing to put some money behind her now that she won't be facing a popular incumbent.

Posted by jcb at April 3, 2006 10:21 AM

Comments

Assuming Evans doesn't change his mind, Prediction-
Zinga v. Johnston
Reasoning:
1. This is already a big mess and its going to get worse.
2. The County Conventions later this month will elect the new county chairmen, most of whom will be the old ones. Only newly elected precint committeemen can vote for the Chairman. But, the current county chairmen can fill vacancies which cannot be undone by the new chairmen.
3. The Democratic Party is composed of factions which mostly have a truce and everybody gets something. But this is such a prize, there will be no holding back.
4. Arranging or coordinating 700 people is a big mess. The psychology of such a group setting can be unbelievable. Because it's Congress family and co-workers and friends are going to be putting in their 2 cents.
5. The moment will await the arrival of one man who can show competence and leadership. Who better than the man on the stage.
6. Instead of Cheney demonstrating to Bush that it should be Cheney, it will be Johnston demonstrating to the Convention that it should Johnston.
7. It will be done by acclamation.

Posted by: True Observer at April 3, 2006 01:27 PM

Johnson? Are you out of your mind. This process will produce a very strong Democrat contender. Anyone that think Democrats in Rock Island County are going to let this thing get out of hand doesn't understand the "first rule" of the Rock Island Democrat machine -- SELF-PRESERVATION.

All this Lane Evans crapola brings out the Oliver Stone in me. What if Lane had announced when he went into the hospital in February that he was no longer able to serve as Congressman? Would Zinga still have been the Republican candidate? Although many say that Lane's "intentions were good" in the timing of his resignation ("my intentions were good" is the excuse Lane used when he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar), would he have resigned sooner if his failing health had come to light sooner? I noticed that write-ins against Lane were in triple digits in the primary (119 in RICO, I think), and I was one of them. Did Lane finally come to realize that his power was slipping? If Felker hadn't gone public with Lane's month long absence from Congress, would Lane have tried to pull a fast one, and fake everyone out that he was capable of serving another term? And what about Felker? What did he know and when did he know it? Where and when did he get his information? I would have hoped he would have noticed Lane's absence sooner----I wonder if his exposure of Lane's failing health had anything to do with Lane packing it in? Hey, inquiring minds want to know!

For starters, she's a loser. Nothing personal. She ran, she lost. In the mind of many a voter, that makes her a loser.

Of course, she earned name-recogniton in her previous failed campaign. Having no other political successes to point to, however, the name that gets recognized is "Loser."

If Evans had stayed in this race, Zinga could have improved over her last attempt. Instead of angering voters by running against his medical condition, she could have earned stature, respect and votes by ignoring the obvious and letting Evan's deteriorating condition speak for itself.

But Lane Evans did'nt win elections by being stupid. He knew his time was up. His party doesn't lack savvy, either. When the food-fight ends, they'll know the decision they face: which winner to put up against the Loser.

The Democrats are picking their nominee from a field of proven winners. This is no guarantee of victory. In fact, some of the names floating about are decidedly minor-league. But whoever the party selects will certainly run as successor to Lane Evan's record of experience, congressional seniority and constituent service.

Zinga is up to her neck in it, and she'll need to do more than erect signs that say "It's all about jobs." If that's her entire platform, she may wish she had Lane Evans back in the race.

Posted by: John Farrell at April 3, 2006 06:02 PM

A key question is whether the Democrats can stay united during this upcoming appointment process for the 17th. If personalities and egos are allowed to prevail, then I think Dems will have blown a good opportunity to choose a new leader.

Posted by: anonymous at April 3, 2006 11:26 PM

Unfortunately anon@11:26PM, the Dems blew "a good opportunity to choose a new leader" when the primary was bypassed----unless by "the Dems" you mean the 721 people in the 17th District who will ultimately "choose a new leader."

But Dave Barrett (Moline Dem Maverick) wants Dems to stop chattering about who can bring in the most money or who can attract the most swing voters, and demand both Dem voters and Dem candidates talk about their vision for the future of the 17th and the nation, their policies for affecting change, and to define what Democrats believe in besides their belief in defeating Republicans.

Correction to above posting regarding appointment of precint committeemen and statement of current law.
1. On March 21, 2006 the terms of all precint committeemen came to an end except that the officers, such as County Chairmen, continue to serve until their replacements at the County Conventions.
2. The newly elected precint committeemen will receive certificates from the county clerks on April 11, 2006 to the effect that they are the Committemen for their precints.
3. On April 19, 2006 the new precint Committeemen will convene at County Conventions and elect the new officers including the new County Chairmen.
4. An important duty of the new County Chairmen is to appoint precint committeemen to vacancies, which they cannot do until the day after the County Convention, in other words, starting April 20, 2006.
5. There is no deadline for filling vacancies and they can be filled throughout the year.
6. Although a precint committeeman must live in his precint to get elected, the appointed precint committeemen do not have to.

Posted by: True Observer at April 4, 2006 01:13 PM

It would be wise for Don Johnston and others to bring in the Democratic Party of Illinois to help quarterback the process in early May or whenever this occurs. August 31 is the deadline.
There is a question about Rep. Mike Boland I wish someone could answer. I think he can stay on the ballot for Congress and State Rep should be be fortunate enough to be appointed for Congress. Is that right?

Posted by: anonymous at April 4, 2006 05:34 PM

I think you all need to consider the fact that others may still decide to get into the Democratic race for Congress. We haven't heard yet from State Rep. Pat Verschoore, and the rumor mill tonight is that he's strongly considering tossing his hat into the ring.

Posted by: anonymous at April 4, 2006 05:39 PM

Andrea is likely still trying to figure out what to do when 58% of the Republican primary voters voted against her!

Posted by: Anonymous at April 4, 2006 07:40 PM

With Jacobs getting out of the race it opend the door to Rep Pat Verschoore to step into the limelight as a statesman. He would be a great addition to the ticket Very strong with labor. Very good guy. The only negatives are that three RI guys and all Lane Evans guys. This could open a "lane" big enough for Boland to drive a truck through. Schwiebert must follow Jacobs lead and get out for the good of the party. There is no way that Hare will get out as he is fighting for his job. Verschoore would make a great RI compromise candidate.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 5, 2006 11:05 AM

Boland should bow out too. But he never will.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 5, 2006 11:12 AM

I am sure Andrea is dancing right now.
1. Close call in the primary.
2. Evans retires.
3. Evans endorses Hare no collage education.
4. Jacobs stays with the 36th district Senate Seat.

She is not only dancing but singing in the rain.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 5, 2006 11:20 AM

My irony meter went off the charts this a.m. when I read this little gem in the Dispatch by Mike Jacobs explaining why he was not going to "run" for Evans' seat: "If it had been an open process, I would've been the first one in". I wonder if Mike really believes this is how he got his seat in Springfield----by "open process"? I guess denial is just a river in East Moline! So thanks, D/A for giving me my morning grin!

With all the vacant precint committeemen positions to be filled:
Odds on Gianulis being challenged for County Chair 40%. The number will keeping getting higher the more he puts his nose into the selection process, where legally he has no more standing than any other precint committeeman.
If challenged, probability of Gianulis losing-100%

Posted by: True Observer at April 5, 2006 12:37 PM

The candidates in the Quad Cities are going to splinter the vote and in effect nullify the population advantage they have in the district. This is going to open the door for a candidate from outside of the QC. Don't forget although the QC makes up about 35% of the electorate of the 17th - there are still votes that can be consolidated downstate if they unify and get behind a candidate. Do not be surprised if the eventual candidate for the office is not even mentioned on this message board.

2006
has brought more fun ticks
both sides are spinning grand lies
They will banter and bitch
While nothing gets fixed
Who came up withthese mad gal and guys
ready
steady
it's Uncle Sam's circus
they're gonna jerk us
all around one more time
we'll watch the clowns runnin
and no I'm not funnin
It should be a capitol crime!

hocus pocus
throw a hissy
if you don't like it
run for office
the end.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 5, 2006 04:23 PM

Looking into tonight's 17th District crystal ball, I see a telegenic, articulate State Senator from Rushville coming closer to entering the race. That would be Senator John Sullivan, a popular State Senator who could mop up votes in counties south of the Quad Cities. Prediction: Congressman John Sullivan. You heard it first, here on John Beydler's blog.

Posted by: anonymous at April 5, 2006 05:55 PM

Stop the madness....Vershoore! Comon -- no way. The only person who wanted Vershoore to be appointed to state rep was John G. Two years ago, there was another better labor candidate that wasn't in tight enough with Brunsvold to get the nod. John G did what he was told and was pretty silly about the whole thing and then chose the weaker of the two - Vershoore.

Now Vershoore is ok for us as our Rep - and he's a Dem..... whatever -- but it was a huge loss to the future of our party when Pat O'Brien did not get the nod from John G a couple years ago. Every solid engaged Dem in the party knows this fact which we must live with every day. I was at a county convention when the committeemen made it know quite loudly in front of Vershoore and O'Brien that they would have preferred O'Brien - but it was too late -- and already over.

Vershoore, for Congress? No Way no how. Don't make this a joke please.....

Pat Obrien will have to get through Mike Darrow and Paul Rumler if he wants to get Verschoores seat.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 5, 2006 09:43 PM

Can't Verschoore run on both ballots just like Boland is planning to do if he gets the nod? Then appoint their successor if they win the congressional seat? I think they should have to choose so that someone else can be on the ballot for rep.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 6, 2006 08:50 AM

Zinga is up to her elbows uncovering dirt on potential candidates! That's what she does.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 6, 2006 10:09 AM

Beydler says she is the luckiest girl in the world! Maybe it's a crush!! According to him Zinga should be out buying lottery tickets. Good idea Beydler. If she wins maybe she'll drop out of the race!

Posted by: Anonymous at April 7, 2006 09:05 AM

Mr. Beydler,
Your last statement should have read,"If I were her, I'd be buying lottery tickets,too."
She is going to need more than luck to win this seat.

Posted by: anonymous at April 9, 2006 01:27 PM

Lane Evans won with a LOT of luck in 1982 (Railsback got beat in the primary, opening the door for Lane). Now, Zinga is positioned at the end of Lane's career with a lot of luck. The cycle of history and politics repeats itself.

Posted by: anonymous at April 12, 2006 09:15 PM

The only way to prevent that cycle is to deviate from the current path. If we continue to operate "business as usual" Zinga is placed very well for a run at the seat, but if we look to the future and form a fresh, innovative identity that cycle that you mentioned would be broken.

Zinga cannot change her stripes - the fact is that she offended Independents and reagan-Democrats (as well as many Republicans). Whether she was right or wrong likely will not matter. The fact is that people just do not like her...let's face it, 58% of Republican primary voters voted against her.

Positioned well, maybe for someone else, but for Zinga, positioned for another big loss...